Twenty-three schools from St Thomas, St James, St Ann, St Catherine and Westmoreland took part in the competition, which received funding from the Sports Development Foundation

Kingston, Jamaica, November 30 – The third Primary/Prep School Volleyball League took place in Jamaica last week, providing a significant boost to the national Under-13 programme. Savanna-la-Mar Primary secured the all-island title by beating Greater Portmore Primary 25-17, 25-18 in the final at the Stadium Complex.

President of the Jamaica Volleyball Association (JaVA), Warrenton Dixon was particularly pleased with the event, saying: "Our players are learning the game a lot earlier and we've identified skilled and very tall players for the national Under-13 Programme.” He also praised the efforts of the teachers, citing them as the reason for the success of the competition.

Visiting international coach Reed Sunahara, sent by NORCECA to work with JaVA, and FIVB instructor Athanasios Papageorgiou, a 42-year veteran from the German Sports University and professor at the World Organisation for Disabled Volleyball, were guests of honour at the National Finals.

Professor Sunahara spent three weeks in November conducting coaching clinics island-wide. "When compared to the first time I worked with these players, they have shown significant improvement. I clearly see most teams trying to exercise control over the ball and use their three touches before playing the ball across the net," he said.

Professor Papageorgiou, though pleased with the grassroots-level activities, called for a focus on mini-volleyball where children three to four years of age play on a smaller court.